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Key takeaways
The best time to take aripiprazole depends on how the medication affects you.
For some, it can boost energy levels, which can cause insomnia if taken at night.
Others find the prescription makes them drowsy, which makes evening dosing preferable.
Aripiprazole is an FDA-approved medication used to treat mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, irritability associated with autism spectrum disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia, and Tourette’s Syndrome. Also known by the brand name Abilify, this atypical antipsychotic medication balances dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain to help regulate mood, behavior, and thoughts.
It’s sometimes used off-label to treat a range of other anxiety disorders, agitation from dementia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and eating disorders. “In clinical practice, it’s sometimes prescribed as an adjunct for treatment-resistant depression,” says Daniel Tan, MD, MPH, founder of ADHD ONE. Aripiprazole is most commonly prescribed as a once-daily oral tablet, available in low doses of 2 mg up to higher doses of 30 mg. There is also a long-acting injectable formulation, sold under the brand name Abilify Maintena, that is given once a month. Oral aripiprazole has mild stimulating properties, so taking this drug in the morning could help reduce the risk of insomnia later in the day.
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When is the best time to take aripiprazole?
Everyone has a unique brain chemistry that can affect what time of day it is best to take a medication, says Jared Heathman, MD, a Houston-based psychiatrist. Here’s what to consider when you’re discussing why to take aripiprazole in the morning versus at night with your provider:
Morning
Aripiprazole can have energizing effects. If you feel invigorated after your daily dose, morning is likely best for you. “Some patients experience energy and motivation from aripiprazole, which could cause insomnia if taken at night,” Dr. Heathman explains.
“It’s not a hard-and-fast rule, but if someone’s feeling wired or agitated after taking it at night, switching to a morning schedule often improves tolerance,” Dr. Tan agrees.
Nausea is a common side effect of this medication. If it affects you, taking it with a light breakfast of toast or yogurt can help alleviate that queasy feeling, Dr. Tan says.
Night
For some, the same medication can have the opposite effect. Drowsiness is a possible reaction to aripiprazole. If you feel lethargic, rather than alert, timing your dose before bed makes the most sense. “If it makes you sleepy, take it at night,” Dr. Heathman says.
What if I miss a dose of aripiprazole?
Life happens. When your daily routine is interrupted, it’s easy to miss a dose of aripiprazole. If you accidentally forget your daily pill, it’s important to take it as soon as you remember—unless it is almost time for your next dose.
“If you are close to the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule,” says Randall Turner, DO, psychiatrist and medical director with Able to Change Recovery in California. “Do not double up. Taking two doses at once can increase the risk of side effects, such as restlessness or feeling jittery.”
If you frequently miss doses, simple tools like alarm reminders on your phone can help you stay on track with your medication schedule.
How long does it take for aripiprazole to start working?
For most people, aripiprazole starts to take effect within one to three weeks. However, it can take several weeks, sometimes up to six, to reach its full benefits.
“People with depression who are using it as an add-on to antidepressants might notice mood improvements sooner than those being treated for psychosis, but everyone responds a little differently,” Dr. Turner says. Several factors can affect how quickly the drug starts working or how quickly you begin to feel better.
Metabolism
“Genetics and liver metabolism play a significant role, particularly in how your body processes enzymes such as CYP2D6 and CYP3A4,” Dr. Turner says.
These enzymes are primarily responsible for breaking down aripiprazole in the liver to its active metabolite, dehydroaripiprazole. One study found that individual variations in these enzymes can lead to differences in how quickly or slowly patients metabolize the drug and start to feel the beneficial effects.
Medications
Additionally, these same liver enzymes metabolize many common prescriptions, such as carbamazepine, alprazolam, and amiodarone. “If you are taking other medications that interact with these enzymes, it may affect how aripiprazole is broken down,” Dr. Turner says. “That, in turn, might change how quickly you start to feel better.”
Supplements and vitamins
There are a few over-the-counter vitamins and supplements that block the effectiveness of aripiprazole, though timing matters.
- Iron and magnesium: Avoid taking iron and magnesium supplements too close to dosing since they can reduce absorption, Dr. Tan says.
- St. John’s wort: Herbal supplements that are sometimes used to treat mild depression, such as St. John’s Wort, can impact medication levels in the body as well, Dr. Heathman says. St. John’s wort is an inducer of the CYP3A4 enzyme, meaning it can increase the metabolism of aripiprazole.
This is not a complete list of all possible interactions. Always share any supplements you take with your pharmacist and healthcare team.
How do I get the most out of my aripiprazole?
When taking any medication, there are steps you can take to minimize side effects and maximize benefits. To get the most out of aripiprazole, try these strategies:
- Take aripiprazole at the same time every day, whether morning or evening works better for you. Consistency is key, Dr. Turner says.
- Avoid alcohol while starting or adjusting psychiatric medications, since drinking alcohol can worsen side effects like drowsiness or mood swings, Dr. Heathman says.
- Make healthy lifestyle changes. “Patients do better when they understand this med isn’t a knockout punch,” Dr. Tan suggests. “It’s more of a dial adjuster. Medication is just one spoke in the recovery wheel. Routine, therapy, and lifestyle matter just as much.”
- Report any shifts in mood or new side effects to your healthcare provider. Small timing or dose tweaks can help smooth out the entire regimen. Common side effects of aripiprazole include nausea, constipation, restlessness, and weight gain. Rare but serious side effects include a drop in blood pressure, which can cause lightheadedness when standing up, as well as uncontrollable movements called extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and tardive dyskinesia (TD).
- Don’t panic in the first few days if your body feels off, Dr. Turner says. You may feel a little drowsy or wired at first, but this may fade as the body adjusts.
- Partner with your provider to optimize your dose. When Dr. Heathman treated a patient who struggled for years with agitation, unable to tolerate the first few medications she tried, he says she felt discouraged and wanted to give up. “We worked together over several visits, slowly adjusting the dose of aripiprazole,” he says. “Within a couple of weeks, she started feeling calmer at work and told me, ‘I finally feel like myself again.’”
That kind of transformation is why personalized care matters and why it’s important to work with a healthcare provider to choose the right medication, monitor for common and serious side effects, and adjust the dose based on how you’re responding.
The bottom line
While it is common to take aripiprazole in the morning to avoid trouble sleeping at night, some patients may prefer to take the drug in the evening if they experience drowsiness as a side effect. Timing aripiprazole doses isn’t a one-size-fits-all process, Dr. Heathman says.
Getting the most out of any medication begins with establishing a trusted relationship with a healthcare provider who can provide medical advice. “If you think you might have symptoms of a mental health condition, don’t wait to seek help,” Dr. Heathman says. “Mental health conditions are increasingly common, treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of.”
- Aripiprazole, Access FDA (2020)
- Aripiprazole (Abilify), National Alliance on Mental Illness
- Aripiprazole Maintena, Access FDA (2016)
- Dopamine and serotonin: Our own happy chemicals, Nationwide Children’s Hospital (2023)
- Extrapyramidal side effects, StatPearls (2025)
- Role of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 polymorphisms on aripiprazole and dehydroaripiprazole concentrations in patients undergoing long-acting treatment, Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry (2024)
- St. John’s wort, Mayo Clinic